Position: LHP
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 240 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/L
Born: 08/07/2000
College: University of Michigan
Drafted: 2nd round, 61st Overall, 2021 (Twins)
How Acquired: Rule 5 Draft, Minor League Phase, 2024 (from Guardians)
Bonus: $1,129,700
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2027
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Twins drafted Hajjar out of Michigan in 2021 as a prospective starter. At the time he threw the standard four pitches, but now appears to stick to a fastball, slider and change. His fastball velocity has been highly variable, anywhere from the upper-80s to the 93-97 mph range. His first three years as a pro he worked as a starter, but he moved to relief in 2024. He hasn’t gotten past high A, largely due to control problems. The Pirates took him from Cleveland in the minor league phase of the 2024 Rule 5 draft.
2021-23
Hajjar didn’t pitch the year he was drafted, then the Twins sent him to low A for most of 2022. He had a good year, with a 2.47 ERA and 14.6 K/9. Late in the season Minnesota traded him to the Reds, who sent him to high A for two starts, but he missed the last month of the season with an injury.
Just prior to the 2023 season, the Reds traded Hajjar to Cleveland. He was still out for the first two months, but he ultimately made 14 starts in high A. He had a 3.61 ERA, but it came in spite of 8.2 walks per nine innings.
2024
The Guardians used Hajjar in relief in most of his outings in 2024, again in high A. The control issues didn’t improve; in fact, he walked 40 in 39.2 IP, leading to an ERA of 7.26. The damage came mostly in two terrible months, April and August, although his control was bad throughout the season.
Stats
Transactions
June 6, 2018: Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 21st round, 635th overall pick.
July 12, 2021: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 2nd round, 61st overall pick; signed July 22.
August 2, 2022: Traded by the Minnesota Twins with Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand to the Cincinnati Reds for Tyler Mahle.
February 8, 2023: Traded by the Cincinnati Reds with Justin Boyd to the Cleveland Guardians for Will Benson.
December 11, 2024: Selected in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft from the Cleveland Guardians by the Pittsburgh Pirates.